The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and a divine communion, recommended and inforced, in a sermon publicly delivered at a meeting of the people called Quakers, held in Leeds, the 26th of the sixth month, commonly called June, 1769. Carefully taken down in characters at the same time, by James Blakes, Jun. Fothergill, Samuel, 1715-1772. Approx. 47 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 28 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI : 2009-04. N09455 N09455 Evans 12046 APW4246 12046 99010219

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Early American Imprints, 1639-1800 ; no. 12046. (Evans-TCP ; no. N09455) Transcribed from: (Readex Archive of Americana ; Early American Imprints, series I ; image set 12046) Images scanned from Readex microprint and microform: (Early American imprints. First series ; no. 12046) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and a divine communion, recommended and inforced, in a sermon publicly delivered at a meeting of the people called Quakers, held in Leeds, the 26th of the sixth month, commonly called June, 1769. Carefully taken down in characters at the same time, by James Blakes, Jun. Fothergill, Samuel, 1715-1772. Blakes, James. Society of Friends. Leeds Meeting. 30, [2] p. ; 19 cm. (8vo) London: printed, Philadelphia: re-printed, and sold by Joseph Crukshank, in Third-Street, opposite the work-house., [Philadelphia] : MDCCLXXI. [1771] Attributed to Fothergill in: Smith, Joseph. A descriptive catalogue of Friends' books ... London, 1867, v.1, p. 637.

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eng Society of Friends -- Great Britain. Sermons -- 1769. 2008-04 Assigned for keying and markup 2008-05 Keyed and coded from Readex/Newsbank page images 2008-07 Sampled and proofread 2008-07 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-09 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

〈…〉 of our 〈◊〉 Jeſus Chriſt, the 〈…〉 , recommended and inforced, in A SERMON PUBLICLY DELIVERED At a MEETING of the PEOPLE called QUAKERS, held in Leeds, the 26th of the Sixth Month, commonly called June, 1769.

CAREFULLY TAKEN DOWN IN CHARACTERS AT THE SAME TIME, BY JAMES BLAKES, JUN.

LONDON: Printed, PHILADELPHIA: Re-Printed, And SOLD by JOSEPH CRUKSHANK, in Third-ſtreet, oppoſite the Work-houſe. M DCC LXXI.

A SERMON.

IT is not in the "Oldneſs of the Letter Rom. vii. 6.," or in unfeeling Formality, but from the animating warmth of Goſpel Love, that I ſalute this aſſembly in theſe expreſſions; The Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the Love of God, and the Communion of the Holy Ghoſt, be with you all always. Amen.2 Cor. xiii. 14. It is the conſtant language of that evangelical ſpirit, from which ariſes this tribute of Glory to God in the higheſt, peace on earth, good-will to menLuke ii. 14., and which I am thankful to feel not reſtrained within leſs compaſs than the Bulk of Mankind; but zealouſly and ardently pointing towards all ſuch as profeſs faith in the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and a hope of ſalvation by him.

THERE is ſomething further couched in this affectionate ſalutation than the language of Love; the language of Wiſdom.— 〈◊〉 Wiſdom which is "profitable to direct Eccl. x. 10.," ſeems to me very evidently and very eminently diſplayed by the father of mercy and kindneſs in theſe expreſſions; which, by divine aſſiſtance, I would endeavour a little to open, and to urge as words of ſome ſignification, unto all ſuch whoſe minds are at times turned to contemplate, and not only contemplate, but alſo to purſue, "the things which make for peace Rom. xiv. 19.."

I. The Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt.

THERE is no language, or form of words, ſufficiently copious and expreſſive, though raiſed to the utmoſt extent or height of deſcription, for repreſenting the adorable manifeſtations of heavenly kindneſs, goodneſs, condeſcenſion and mercy, or for exhibiting the things which proceed from the Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt: but it is allowable to ſpeak whereof we know, according to the Meaſure of knowledge, and to utter, according to the proportion of Strength given, what we now ſee in part, and what from experience we feel, of the merciful kindneſs of God; and which, as we faithfully follow his will, we ſhall hereafter more fully and comprehenſively behold.—This I apprehend is neceſſary for all, to whom a revelation of the Chriſtian Religion has been made by means of Holy Writ; and in an eſpecial manner, where He that is the diſcoverer of ſtates, has opened their underſtandings to believe the Doctrines of the Chriſtian Religion, and the ſacred records of that miraculous Favour and Grace that came by Jeſus Chriſt.

BUT for my own part, I muſt freely acknowledge there was a time of my life, in which I would gladly have relieved myſelf from following the arduous paths of religion, by turning aſide into the paths of Scepticiſm and Infidelity. My mind was ready to alledge, as ſome at this time of day may be, How can we believe without Evidence? There is not a ſufficient Evidence of Truth to convince my judgment, or to induce me to believe. I know this has been the allegation of ſome: But I have found there is no Deficiency of evidence, but an unwillingneſs to admit the Force of that evidence, which would properly influence the mind; and I have reaſon to apprehend this has been the caſe with others: for if there was a thorough ſubmiſſion, and diſpoſition of mind to receive the Truth in the Love of it; to endeavour after it in its genuine ſimplicity; to look at it with a ſingle eye; and, if I may be allowed the expreſſion, to ſuppreſs or baniſh all the "buts and iſs;" we ſhould ſoon find the Evidence of the Chriſtian Religion to be lively and inconteſtible, and effectually to operate to make us wiſe and good; Wiſe with the Wiſdom that is to Salvation; and Good, with the Goodneſs that is of God, the Source of Goodneſs.

BUT whilſt people "take counſel, and not of God," and ſuffer themſelves to be covered with a covering and not of his SpiritIſaiah xxx. 1., they are unwilling to admit the force of thoſe truths which would ſeparate the precious from the vile," and purify us according to his word. —While this is the caſe that many deviate in point of Faith, they may complain of the want of Evidence, reſpecting the Certainty and Truth of the Chriſtian Religion; and complain with as much juſtice, as a man who wilfully hides himſelf in Darkneſs, complains of his Incapacity of Seeing. For we have ſuch an evidence and underſtanding imparted by the Light and Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, as doubtleſs abundantly diſplays the immediate Regard and Love of God, as recorded in Holy Writ; and from which I freely acknowledge an internal illumination neceſſary, for all that would have valid claim to the Chriſtian Religion; whereby we obtain a firm aſſurance of, and a well-grounded belief in, thoſe glorious truths.

WE have ſometimes been accuſed of allegorizing away the important truths of the Chriſtian Religion as recorded in Holy Writ: It is far, very far from our intention or inclination! We want to inforce them, upon ourſelves, upon our brethren, with all that requiſite weight which commands their belief; calling to a belief of Heart, not a mere aſſent with the Tongue; but "a belief of Heart unto righteouſneſsRom. x. 10.."

WE have been diſtinguiſhed, and are not aſhamed of the diſtinction, for preaching, "Chriſt within;" but we never preach a Chriſt within, oppoſed to, or derogating from, a Chriſt without.—We fully believe not only in his glorious and gracious appearance amongſt the ſons of men, "as in the volume of the book it is writtenHeb. x. 7.;" but we alſo believe in his inward and ſpiritual appearance, the ſecond time without ſin unto ſalvationIbid. ix. 28.; in which we are ſupported by a cloud of witneſſesIbid. xii. 1., and by the doctrine of the holy Author of the Chriſtian Religion, inforcing his inward and ſpiritual manifeſtation (the manifeſtation of his Grace) in as clear and indubitable a manner, as from the teſtimonies delivered concerning his external appearance.

BUT the myſtery of ungodlineſs hath powerfully wrought with ſome who profeſs the Chriſtian name, in oppoſition to the force of thoſe teſtimonies with regard to his internal appearance, or manifeſtation of himſelf in the hearts of mankind; and to render inadmiſſible the doctrine of an inward and ſpiritual communion, the revelation of Light, Life, and Good to the ſouls of men, immediately imparted for our redemption and ſanctification.—This would lead people home from the flowery paths of Eaſe and Speculation, into the arduous one of Practice: It would transfer religion from the Head to the Heart; and, in its progreſs, would remove every obſtacle to the admiſſion of the doctrine of an inward and ſpiritual manifeſtation of the Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt.

BUT there hath been a lamentable defection from the Life and Spirit of true chriſtianity, wherein the Old Man, under all the pomp of Opinion, and aſſenting to indubitable Truths, ſtill remains in full poſſeſſion of every inordinate love, and his goods are at eaſe. A mind diſguiſed with JACOB'S Voice, and ESAU'S Hands, found orthodox Principles, with a ſchiſmatic Heart, ingroſs the Formaliſt of all names and diſtinctions to religion; the old man being at eaſe with his goods, in a ſtate of ſelf-ſufficiency, either rejoicing under a Form, and the falſe ſhade of Opinion and regularity of conduct, or in the pomp of a ſpecious external appearance; wherein ſome continue poſſeſſed of an unhappy tranquillity or eaſe of mind, and are endeavouring to build up a tabernacle quiet and ſafe, content with a Form, or depending upon a bare Belief in the doctrines of the chriſtian religion.—But there is a work whereby the Old Earth, and the Old Heavens are made to ſhake, and muſt be removed; which is of the adorable mercy and grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, when he thus may reveal himſelf;—

YET once more will I ſhake not the Earth only, but alſo HEAVEN Heb. xii. 27.! —Not only the Earth, not only againſt the inhabitants of the earth; but the Work of God is made conſpicuous in the Awakening of the ungodly, for their converſion from ſin and death, unto righteouſneſs and life.— "Yet once more will I ſhake HEAVEN!"—The glorious ſpecious Appearances of Truth, and Doctrines recorded and aſſented to, but yet not reduced to Experience; truths received and confeſſed by the Tongue, but the Heart revolting from their efficacious influence.

Yet once more will I ſhake not the Earth only, but alſo Heaven. And this word, yet once more, ſignifies the REMOVING of thoſe things which are ſhaken. And undoubtedly the Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, in its manifeſtation, procedure and effects, would ſhake every falſe reſt in which any deluded ſoul may have fixed its repoſe: He would ſhake every falſe reſt among thoſe under all names and diſtinctions to religion, who are truſting in Name and in Form, without the POWER, or an experience of its virtual effects upon the ſoul; theſe all appertain to one family:—and not only ſo, but he would ſhake every falſe reſt, yea and the FOUNDATION, of thoſe who are building upon a Profeſſion, and upon the Apoſtles Teſtimony of Jeſus Chriſt; becauſe they are only building upon the Credibility of thoſe truths, yet cannot experimentally ſay, Through the Grace of our Lord Jeſus, We acknowledge the Truth, according to GodlineſsTitus i. 1..

THEY that are of the World, come here alſo to a houſe fortified with Opinion, and are ſupporting themſelves in having obtained a clear, full, and conciſe knowledge of the Truth of the Chriſtian Religion. But there is a Power that will ſearch every falſe foundation, and overturn every ſuperficial dependence on Human Production, that is inconſiſtent with the uniform tendency of his ſacred Law, faſhioned upon the plan of unchangeable, everlaſting Wiſdom.—It is not of Man, or by Man, but proceeds from the Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, whereby thoſe truths are brought home to the Hearts of mankind. The gracious effects of his powerful working, are manifeſted to bring us home from a ſtate of falſe dependence, that we may humbly and experientially acknowledge, In God is my Salvation, and my Glory, the Rock of my StrengthPſal. lxii. 7.: in God alone is my Truſt.

BUT "the Strong Man," armed with OPINION and BELIEF, has nevertheleſs been purſuing vitiated Affections; which people have endeavoured to retain, and gloſſed over with a ſpecious lofty Proffeſſion; fully aſſenting to the truths handed forth from the experience of others, but unreduced to practice in themſelves.

While the ſtrong man armed keeps the palace, the things that he poſſeſſeth are in peaceLuke xi. 21.; until a ſtronger than he overcome, and caſt him out with all his goods. —All thoſe things that are inconſiſtent with the holineſs and purity of the Divine Nature, which are pointed clearly out, and may be underſtood, by the declaration of our Lord concerning the Church, wherein every plant that is not of my heavenly Father's right hand planting ſhall be rooted out Mat. xv. 13.. — What would then become or all thoſe things, which a miſtaken judgment calls "but little things?" Of the Pleaſures and Amuſements of the preſent age, invented by the ſons of diſſipation, who add wings to their moments, and are carried forward with rapidity through time, unprepared, to a final judgment? What a multiplicity of thoſe things which are not of the Father, but of the World that lies in wickedneſs1 John v. 19.: things of which I ſhall not now particularly ſpeak; but they are ſuch as have no Life in the LIFE of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt in Man, but are ever Enemies to it, while the Affections are earthly, and confined to this world, however the partiality of deluded minds may think to ſeek a reſource, and attempt to obviate the ſeeming Rigours of the Goſpel, or find for themſelves an eaſier and more flexible way, by reſting upon a mere Belief of Syſtems (the goods belonging to the ſtrong man armed) wherein they endeavour to ſupport themſelves, and are high in Profeſſion, but weak reſpecting Practice? A ſpecies of Deviation from the Power of Truth proceeding from the Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, which would ſearch the ſecrets of every Heart! It would open to the view of the attentive mind their nature, and the ſituation they are in; what is of God, and what is not of God; what is pure, and what is impure: It would ever prove a more deciſive teſt in all our actions, a more certain criterion in our conduct through life, than it is to be feared the generality of Chriſtian profeſſors have attained, and which it is abſolutely impoſſible for the Strong Man armed to produce, with all his ſeeming Sanctity of the Fleſh, or ſtrenuous Support of Belief, and a multitude of external performances; notwithſtanding he may endeavour to plead for the "Law and the Commandment," and think thereby to attain the mark of Chriſt's followers, who "walk therein all the days of their lives."

BUT although they are thus lifted up in their minds, there is an Omniſcient and Omnipreſent BEING, who cannot be deceived or impoſed upon; and it is impoſſible to invalidate that invariable obligation to live under the Power of the Croſs of Chriſt however they may endeavour to find means, by profeſſing his Name without taking up a Croſs to the inordinate pleaſures and purſuits of this world, or attribute to themſelves the merits of his death, without a death unto ſin, and a new birth unto righteouſneſs, wherein alone we are made partakers of an everlaſting glory.

I beſeech you by the moſt powerful motive of the Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, that every one may endeavour to cultivate in your minds a living Senſe of Religion; and that we may all experience the purity and ſanctity of its nature to operate in our hearts; and as members of one Family, tho' diſtinguiſhed by various Names, we may continue as Brethren and Fellow-pilgrims, in our paſſage through the wilderneſs of this world, to an endleſs Glory; that we may run with patience the arduous race, although through diſtreſs of temptation and probation, to an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away.

I BESEECH you by the Mercies of God, by every powerful motive, in the language of Love, the Love of God, which lives in my heart, lay hold of the Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt; by which alone our hearts and minds can experimentally acknowledge, that it is by the virtue of it we are cleanſed, purified, and redeemed from the pollutions and defilements of the world; and whereby we become faſhioned in the image of righteouſneſs and true holineſs.

LET us next conſider the Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt as offered for our REDEMPTION.—And I have no doubt of its being acknowledged, by all who have any underſtanding of the nature of True Chriſtianity, or care about their immortal ſouls, that the Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt manifeſtly leads to the doctrine of Repentance from dead works, and of Faith towards God; to a redemption of the ſoul from death, hell, and the grave; conſequently, from that ſtate of puniſhment due to ſinners, where the ungodly receive the reward of their diſobedience:—Neither have I any doubt of our being accompanied herein by a cloud of witneſſes, who feel the Truth of the Chriſtian Religion, and know the force and authority of thoſe teſtimonies concerning it.—And let us take along with us the knowledge which the apoſtles and primitive believers had of the Chriſtian Redemption and Doctrine in their times, that the Grace of God, that brings ſalvation, hath appeared to ALL men; teaching us, that denying ungodlineſs, and worldly luſts, we ſhould live ſoberly, righteouſly, and godly, in this preſent world; looking for that bleſſed hope, and glorious appearance, of the Grace of God, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who gave himſelf for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himſelf a peculiar people, zealous of good works Titus ii. 11, 12, 13, 14.. This is the Redemption propoſed by the Goſpel, which commands our aſſent, and will remain obligatory throughout all ages of the Chriſtian diſpenſation.

BUT there has been a claim to Redemption, introduced in the Apoſtaſy from the LIFE of Religion, maintained amongſt profeſſors under various names, who plead the Impoſſibility of being redeemed from the Power of Sin;—a Redemption from the Penalty, but not from the Commiſſion;—a Redemption from the Puniſhment without a Victory over the tranſgreſſing nature:—And herein the myſtery of unrighteouſneſs hath powerfully wrought, and ſtill works, thus to ſubſtitute Names for Things, Sounds inſtead of Subſtance; and a Profeſſion inſtead of a lively Poſſeſſion of its powerful and virtual effects upon the mind.—But it is a Redemption from "all iniquity," whereby alone he will purify unto himſelf a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

THOU ſhalt call his name JESUS, for he ſhall ſave his people from their Sins Matt. i. 21.. —From the Worldly Nature, and from the Corruptions and Defilements in the world.—A Redemption from the Power of Sin;—wherein we are ſanctified, and juſtified, in the ſight of God, and are prepared for an admiſſion into the kingdom of heaven, as we are poſſeſſed of this efficacious redemption:—"It is like unto a little Leaven, which a woman took and hid in three meaſures of meal Matt. xiii. 33.. —It was operative;—and being diſſuſed through the three meaſures of meal, there was a real, inherent Change, or partaking of its own Nature;—a change effected by the powerful diffuſion of that leavening Virtue.

THIS is the Redemption of Jeſus Chriſt;—a Redemption effected by the Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt.—It conſiſts not in the Strength, or Change, of Opinions, or a formal Conception;—but as we experience a gradual progreſſion from glory to glory, and from one degree of ſimilitude, or reſemblance, of the Divine Image to another, until we attain a victory here, and the conſummation of happineſs in a future ſtate.

I APPREHEND this is the genuine nature of Chriſtian Redemption, as propoſed by the Goſpel, which will ſtand the teſt, and bring forth the glorious fruits of RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE, and JOY in the HOLY GHOST; and wherein he will refine, and purify unto himſelf, a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

WE are not to aſcribe or attribute to ourſelves any Merit of Works, as performed in the ſtrength of a natural Underſtanding, or from any religious Attainments; but ever to retain a conſciouſneſs of our inability; as knowing nothing belongs to us as Creatures, but "Bluſhing and Confuſſion of Face Dan. ix. 7.;" and that our growth towards perfection proceeds from the aſſiſtance diſpenſed of his unbounded mercy and grace; as ſaith the apoſtle, It is by the Grace of God I am what I am; and his Grace which is in me, was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all; yet not I, but the Grace of God which is IN me 1 Cor. xv. 10..

I HAVE no doubt that many of your minds, under various names and diſtinctions to religion, have been at times touched with a feeling ſenſe of the nature and excellency of true chriſtianity; with a bleſſed ſenſe of it, proceeding from the Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. —May you ſo follow on, as to experience a further progreſs in its efficacious operation upon your minds, and witneſs its Leavening Virtue into its own Nature, drawing you from the temper and defilements of the world, by a transformation of your minds from dead works, to ſerve the living God!—wherein you would truly experience an increaſe in ſtrength, derived from him to whom "all Power is given Mat. xxviii. 18.." power to effect every excellent purpoſe, and fill up to you all thoſe relative attributes which are inſeparable from the Divine Nature; and wherein he is mercifully communicating an holy evidence of Faith in the Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt; a faith in things not ſeen, the ſubſtance of things hoped for Heb. xi. 1..

MAY we be engaged in an humble dependence, and aweful worſhip, before the God of heaven and earth! continually contemplate him in his adorable perfections, as the Father and Fountain of all our mercies; and faithfully regard every part of our duty in bringing "Glory to God," propoſed as the Mark of Redemption and Reconciliation, through the Merits and Mediation of a crucified Saviour; "who gave himſelf for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himſelf a peculiar people, zealous of good works. —In this manner we become members of his ſacred Militant Church on Earth; and are entering upon the path to the Triumphant Church in Heaven.

WE were made a little lower than the angels, and intended to partake in the fruition of happineſs with the ſpirits of juſt men made perfect, in the general aſſembly of the firſt-born ſons of God. And I have no doubt but he will ſtill beautify his footſtool by the gift of his Grace, the Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, proceeding from himſelf, the Author and Fountain of good, and of every perfect work, whereunto we are called by his Spirit, and become united in memberſhip with his ſanctified church and family:—So that having filled up the meaſure of our days in the world, we may finally receive the beatific reward of an endleſs life with the juſt of all generations.

I HAVE no doubt of the poſſibility of Acceſs to the Father while cloathed with mortality, through the mediation and interceſſion of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt.—But it is as we admit his Spirit to operate in our minds to prepare us for acceſs, and duly attend to the aſſiſtance afforded us.

May the Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt be with you all, always! —May you be built up in his Grace, and continue engaged in the contemplation of his adorable perfections! the infinite Kindneſs and Goodneſs of God! the excellency and purity of the Chriſtian Nature! and, by a ſeparation from the world, obtain a well-grounded hope that he may be with you all, always. Amen.

YET notwithſtanding an happy advancement may be known, a ſtate of humble Watchfulneſs is our duty, and our ſafety.—I cannot join with the opinion of thoſe, who maintain the doctrine of once in Grace, ever in Grace. —I believe that it is poſſible for thoſe who have been viſited with a meaſure and manifeſtation of the Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, that have taſted the good word of life, and of the powers of the world to come Heb. vi. 5., to fall away.—It is neceſſary to continue in a ſtate of Daily Dependance on Divine Strength, for our faithful perſeverance in the uniform progreſſive labour of a chriſtian life, and a daily walking with the God of our lives, to preſerve us from evil.—The apoſtle, who ſeemed to entertain a requiſite diffidence with regard to himſelf, perceived the neceſſity of a Continuance in the Communion of Grace, in order to a happy concluſion; and was cautious, while he was preaching to others, leſt himſelf ſhould become a caſt-away 1 Cor. ix. 27.. —Let us, therefore, not content ourſelves that we begin and run well for a Seaſon; but retain upon our minds a living SENSE of religion, cloathed with native ſimplicity and purity, proceeding from the Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt.

II. The Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt; the Love of God.

HE hath ſo loved us, and manifeſted his inconceivable favour towards us, that he hath not dealt with us according to our Merits, but of his free and unmerited GRACE, that we might become heirs of an endleſs inheritance in glory! God ſo loved the world, that he ſent his own Son into the world to be a LIGHT to the world; a Light to enlighten the Gentiles, and to be his Salvation to the ends of the earth Acts xiii. 47.. —It is this heavenly Love, the Love of God, that is the grand and ſolemn cement of his family, both here and hereafter: wherein we are united to him, and in fellowſhip one with another. It binds all into an uniform conſiſtency, both in heaven and earth.—Many other objects of our love are local and temporary, limited to Time and Place, or confined to this world, and to the things that are in it: but the Love of GOD is an endleſs commandment.—It is CHARITY; that divine Charity, that will remain when teſtimonies ſhall ceaſe, and declarations come to an end;—in a participation whereof we ſhall ſtill continue to join in holy worſhip and adoration unto God, the Author of our being.

IT is in the enjoyment of this divine and ardent Charity, that the celeſtial inhabitants in the realms of light receive the ſacred Emanations of LOVE, and enjoy the Favour of God in a participation of thoſe ineffable pleaſures which it yields to the glorified aſſembly of ſaints in bliſs.—And, indeed, it ſeems to me to be the grand Source of all happineſs and duty; happineſs in heaven, as well as perfection of wiſdom to the ſons of men, derived from thoſe gracious relative attributes of the Divinity wherein he is mercifully communicating the eſſential part of his own Nature, being, in Himſelf, "altogether lovely Canticles v. 16.," conſummate in the perfection of holineſs, and unparallelled in wiſdom!—wherein we are ſometimes favoured with the fruition of his Love, meaſurably imparted, to our comfort and unſpeakable joy, infinitely ſuperior to all that this world can afford, and which will remain, when the elements ſhall melt with fervent heat, the earth alſo, and the works that are therein, ſhall be burnt up 2 Peter iii. 10. —The Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and the Love of God, will then open unto the ſoul that glorious proſpect of unutterable, inconceivable happineſs, which is the proviſion of God for the righteous, and thoſe who faithfully perſevere to a peaceful and happy concluſion.

IT is by virtue of the Grace and Love of God, that we are enabled to advance in a proper progreſſion through the various ſteps of a religious life; and which would kindle an ardour of affection in the mind with deſires for a continued ſupply of that heavenly virtue, which nouriſhes the ſoul up unto eternal life. —A Want of this, makes us bow to the god of this world, and to things that are in it.—The love of Money, Riches, and the Praiſe of Men; which with various powers of ſeduction are preſented to our view, and our proſpects are bounded by the narrow conceptions of an Earthly Mind.—It is a love of thoſe things, which obſtructs the progreſs of religion.— A ſecret deviation from the Love of God to a Love of this World, has prevailed in many.—But how can it be otherwiſe, ſince like will ever aſſimilate with its like? And while the BODY is terreſtrial, the GLORY is terreſtrial, and the body will continue engaged in the purſuit of earthly things.— For every mind will attend to its Similitude.—And while the Body is terreſtrial, the Glory will remain terreſtrial, however it may aſſume a reſemblance to matters of a higher nature, and ſuperior importance.—Yet while the Glory is earthly, our Views earthly, and confined to the pleaſures and purſuits of this world, our Affections are earthly, and we are rendered incapable of that Love, which is of a divine and heavenly nature.

A terreſtrial love preſides and is prevalent in the minds of many; which has obſtructed the power of truth, and been the cauſe of feeble purpoſes and feeble efforts, enfeebled minds with irreſolute intentions, and proved the occaſion of a defection amongſt Chriſtian profeſſors, who have been deſirous to form ſomething more amiable and agreeable, or better adapted to their natural inclinations.—But there is a deficiency in their Love, a wavering in Affection, a diviſion of Love, which is the cauſe of weakneſs and incapacity to make a proper advancement in a Chriſtian life, or improvement in the progreſſive work of religion upon the ſoul. For, as I have hinted, while the BODY is terreſtrial, the GLORY is terreſtrial, until we are created anew in Chriſt Jeſus, unto righteouſneſs; wherein our minds will become cloathed with a celeſtial glory, and by the power of Divine Grace, be ſet above every earthly love. And then the Love of GOD will prevail in our minds, and we ſhall attain an experience of additional ſtrength, ſteadily to perſevere in the arduous warfare of a Chriſtian Life. And the Glory being celeſtial, our views are circumſcribed within the limits of an heavenly love, wherein we are lifted up to God, being renewed in the ſpirit of our minds, and enabled to travel on towards the glorious city of the ſaints ſolemnity.

BUT it is a deficiency of Love, it is a cleaving to other things, inconſiſtent with the purity of the Divine Nature, that has ſlain ten thouſands!— A ſecret defection of Heart, which no human eye hath been privy to, has ſlain more than open Prophanity!—A degeneracy of Heart, a ſecret ſliding from the Covenant of Life, in thoſe who are turning aſide into the path of irreligion, and a mental deviation from the purity of nature, and holineſs; the neceſſary requiſite to an union and divine participation in the Love of God.

I THINK it is ſaid with very great propriety, that The love of money is the root of all evil: which while ſome have luſted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themſelves through with many ſorrows 1 Tim. vi. 10.. —But though it may ſeem to many not needful to tell of theſe things, methinks it is applicable to ſome in theſe days who would be deemed "Men of God;" and for whom I wiſh, as for myſelf, that when the heavens ſhall roll back as a ſcroll, and eternity ſhall open upon us, when our views of theſe lower objects ſhall vaniſh and diſappear, when the Arch-angel's trump ſhall ſound to judgment, and a righteous retribution is made, we may be found men of God!— "But, O Man of God," that haſt theſe things in view, think on the unutterable proſpect of infinite happineſs, the reward of obedience, and "flee theſe things." Flee the glory and ſplendor of this tranſient world; continue to follow after righteouſneſs, godlineſs, faith, love patience, meekneſs; fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art called, and haſt profeſſed a good profeſſion before many witneſſes.

THIS is the language of the Love of God to this aſſembly, that we may be found "Men of God," when all the glory of this would, with its ſplendor and dependencies, ſhall come to a concluſion; that when every human aid ſhall vaniſh, and no worldly aſſiſtance is near, the Love of God may cover our ſpirits in all our trials; that when every human help is totally ſuſpended, we may continue to feel the effects of his mercy and goodneſs happily to ſpread in our minds, to their edification and unſpeakable joy.—Herein we receive a divine evidence of love, communicated from that boundleſs Source of unutterable Grace wherewith he has viſited us, in order to dwell in our hearts, or that He may "dwell in us richly."—And thus we are brought to diſcern the beauty of holineſs, the uniformity of love, to open the mind beyond the contracted view of human powers, into the glorious fruition of divine eſſential Love, the Love of God, that would thus dwell in our hearts and minds; and then we may witneſs him to be with us all, always. Amen. He will be a light to our paths, and an aid at hand, while we are travelling through the various difficulties and probations in life.—May the Shepherd of Iſrael, who ſleeps not by day, nor ſlumbers by night, attend you! and may we place our whole dependance upon him, as our ſupport and all-ſufficient ſtrength in every needful time!

AND dearly-beloved youth! you that are entering upon the ſtage of active life, be ever vigilantly concerned to improve the preſent moments, and that you may build beyond the habitation of ſorrow; that all the high places may be removed, and your minds become repleniſhed with true conſolation.—And as you are not always to expect one uniform joyous ſcene, but clouds of darkneſs ſometimes interrupt the proſpects of pleaſure, in your pilgrimage through life, prepare your minds, by zealouſly endeavouring after the Love of God; and wait to know in yourſelves, the unſpeakable advantage of his heavenly aid and aſſiſtance, offered to conduct you through the various ſcenes of mortality, to the righteous and awful preſence of the Judge of heaven and earth; which will continue to ſuſtain you, when no human conſolation can afford relief; even when your offences appear as a flood, ſurrounded with temptation and diſtreſs, and you are ready to cry out, who ſhall deliver me from the wrath of an offended Creator! In this ſtate of anxious ſolicitude, your heavenly Father is mercifully pleaſed to ariſe, and adminiſter relief to ſuch, who are thus "hungering and thirſting after righteouſneſs;" and the cup of life and ſalvation is handed to their comfort, from the glorious Helper, that in his ſtrength you may be enabled to ſtand unſhaken in the troublous time!—And it is to theſe he waits to be gracious; a helper at hand, from whom proceeds every power to aſſiſt, and every attribute of mercy, kindneſs, goodneſs, and adorable condeſcenſion, are graciouſly diſpenſed to the ſons of men, wherein they are eſtabliſhed in righteouſneſs and true holineſs.

"HE touches the mountains, and they melt:" every obſtruction that would hinder the progreſs or advancement of this divine, eſſential, efficacious work of redemption upon the ſoul, muſt be removed; every unavailing connexion muſt give place to the ties of an ardent and ſanctified Love.

HE touches the mountains, and they melt; the everlaſting hills, they bow at his preſence. In his mercy we experience the removing of thoſe things, that oppoſe or prevent an increaſe in the knowledge of God, or of the things appertaining to our everlaſting peace; in order that the exerciſed pilgrim in his progreſs may receive additional ſtrength, to run with alacrity the race of a chriſtian life, and finally attain an happy union with the ſons of the morning, who ſing together for joy.

IT is the glorious benefits proceeding from the Love of God, which I earneſtly intreat that the youth, of all names and diſtinctions to religion, may carefully ſeek, and avail yourſelves of, that HE may be with you through the various ſteps of a probationary life. And though you may ſometimes have to travel in the exerciſed path of temptation and anxious diſtreſs, continue in hope, and you will feel his LIGHT to ariſe in your hearts, and witneſs an inward reſurrection unto LIFE; that Life that will never fade, but will remain, when every tender and lawful connexion can no longer comfort, but muſt ſoon be diſſolved, and the ſympathy one for another ſhall be ineffectual to deliver. All the tender connexions in life are but of uncertain duration, and upon them all this inſcription is wrote, "They ſhall ſhortly periſh;" but the LOVE of GOD never fades:—It is continued from generation to generation, and will remain when Time ſhall be ſwallowed up in Eternity:—It is this wherein we taſte of the Goodneſs of God, and are made to drink the cup of life and ſalvation, and have to rejoice in the unſpeakable fruition of happineſs it affords to the ſanctified in heart, who in future time, as well as the preſent, will have to ſay, Spring up, O well, and we will ſing unto thee; —it will remain an enduring portion to the Ranſomed in Jacob, and to the Redeemed in Iſrael; and will be an excellent comforter in the time of probation and exerciſe, through the ſilent ſteps of anxiety and ſecret diſtreſs, known to none but GOD and thy own Soul.

HE knows ALL things, by whoſe merciful aid we are ſuſtained through "the Regions of the ſhadow of Death," when every unavailing relation or human dependency ſhall diſappear and come to an end. What then, can ſuſtain us, but the Love of God?—It is that which covers the head in the day of battle; and which I would recommend, with a fervent affection, to you who are the hopes of the preſent age, that you ardently endeavour after the Love of God, that will never decreaſe with age; it enlarges upon the mind, and is increaſed with an increaſe of Love: It proceeds from the THRONE of God, and ſpreads from the Threſhold of his Houſe: It is continued through the Courts of his Sanctuary, and reaches to the Uttermoſt Part of the Earth; and is as a RIVER, the Streams whereof make glad the whole Heritage of God.

ALL the beauty and ſplendor of the world will fade; and the excellency of temporal enjoyments, which are the portion of uncertainty, ſhall ſhortly know their time and place no more: But the Love of God, flowing from Himſelf, returns upon the ſanctified ſoul as a River that never paſſeth by, proceeding from the inexhauſtible SOURCE of Love: it ſpreads through the various ſtates of mankind, and is diffuſed throughout the ſpiritual creation of his Son, unlimited as Eternity! A degree of which I feel upon my mind for this aſſembly, with an ardency that cannot be expreſſed, "that He may be with you All, always. Amen!"— For the Love of God imparted to the ſanctified Soul, and a portion of the Holy Ghoſt, and Divine Approbation in Communion, hath been ſuch, as Eye hath not ſeen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive the good things that God hath in ſtore for them that love him.

III. The Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the Love of God, and the Communion of the Holy Ghoſt.

THIS is the bond that binds, and wherein we are united to God, and know it, to be a well ſpringing up unto Eternal Life.—It is not in external Helps, nor in the Agreement of Words, neither is it in the Conſent of Doctrine, or in fine-ſpun regular Syſtems, to conſtitute a "Communion of the Holy Ghoſt." But it is as we are admitted to a ſacred repaſt in the divine "Banquetting-houſe," (wherein we offer the oblation of Worſhip, a Cloud of Incenſe, ariſing from hearts prepared by the Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and in the Love of God,) that we are advanced to a divine Communion of the Holy Ghoſt. A communion not reſtrained to any Diſtinction or Profeſſion of People, but extended to all ſuch as experience an union and fellowſhip in Spirit, wherein they are ſometimes lifted up to the Father of ſpirits, and enabled to approach him "in Spirit and in Truth;" which has often been ſealed with the Love and Approbation of God, in a divine manifeſtation of his kindneſs and goodneſs to men, who eat that which is good, and delight themſelves in fatneſs, being renewed in the ſpirit of their minds, and enabled to lay hold on eternal life.

IN this Communion, this unutterable, this inconceivable Communion, many have found their Strength to be renewed, and their Hearts engaged in the ſolemn Worſhip of God, the Author of their being: A communion inexpreſſible in its nature!—May thoſe minds, who have attained this happy experience, continue therein in all humility and purity!

IT is a Communion in Spirit, wherein the ſanctified ſoul approaches the Author of ſpirits with a Sacrifice in ſpirit, when the ſacrifice of Words ſhall fail.—For there is a Communion which Language cannot expreſs! A Worſhip that wants not the aid of Words, nor is to be defined by an Harmony of Sounds, in which we approach the ſacred Author of unutterable Love!

WHEN there was Silence in Heaven for about the Space of Half an Hour; when the Vocal Tribute of "Holy, Holy, Holy," and the Hallelujahs of ſanctified Spirits in endleſs felicity were ſuſpended, their Worſhip continued in awful, holy, ſolemn, inconceivable SILENCE! It was a Rapturous Adoration, too copious for Language to expreſs! A Cloud of Incenſe, before the Throne of immaculate Purity and Love!—May our minds be gathered to it, let our Name or profeſſion to Religion be what it may! and may we experience this Divine Communion of Saints, and deeply ponder God's unbounded Love, in ſolemn Silence! For there is no Power of Eloquence can ſufficiently acknowledge the Obligation and Reverence we owe HIS Infinite MAJESTY, who fills heaven and earth with his glory and goodneſs!—But let us look up unto him, and wait to be prepared for it;—for they that wait upon the Lord ſhall renew their ſtrength; —wherein we may experience a conſtant advancement from Grace to Grace, until we attain the glorious end propoſed by this lively animating ſalutation (which I wiſh for you as for myſelf) The Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the Love of God, and the Communion of the Holy Ghoſt, be with you all, always. Amen.

FINIS.